Kathleen Neilly, general manager of West Lothian Foodbank said the charity is worried that the number of families seeking help continues to rise.

She said: “It is deeply concerning that we are seeing an increase in the number of three-day emergency food supplies provided to local people in crisis in West Lothian over the last year.

“Anybody could find themselves in need of the foodbank and every week people are referred to us after being hit by something unavoidable – such as illness, a delay in a benefit payment or an unexpected bill – means food is simply unaffordable.

“It really is only with the community’s support that we’re able to provide vital emergency help when it matters most, and we hope that one day there will be no need for us in West Lothian.

“But until that day comes, we will continue to offer the best possible service to help local people facing a crisis.”

Kathleen said the charity is always looking for donations and volunteers to help out.

She continued: “Thank you so much to everyone in West Lothian who already donates time, food and money to help local people.

“If you’re not already involved, we’d love to hear from you.”

Run by the Trussell Trust, the West Lothian Foodbank has been providing three days’ emergency food and support to local people since November 2012.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay said it was a “a national disgrace” that people were having to rely on food banks.

He continued: “I fully support and commend the West Lothian food bank on the vital work they do but we need to see action at a Scottish and UK Government level to eradicate food poverty from our communities.”

She added: “I will be visiting Food Bank West Lothian next month in relation to a fundraising event they are holding and met with Tesco in Bathgate in December while they were donating their annual food collection to Food Bank West Lothian.

“I am disgusted and disappointed at the UK Government’s actions to target the most vulnerable in our society and I will continue to do whatever I can to help protect low income households in West Lothian.”